Bag closure apparatus



'7 Sheets-Sheet l l N VEN TORS #vom/fr:

lg- 12, 1969 J. R. coNNl-:R ETAL BAG CLOSURE APPARATUS med Aug. 4, 1967V n N m. s\\ D .ho o o S n .Hu u Q HMMMLH o |1 a INH O nava@ m |.I QM N.u o2 o Hl vm w3. W\ RN WNW \m libwww!! HQ USW KN y mm .www il r MQ i w.m fl. wi M 2 Wm\ MMT@ f L .www i o o .Nl u INI h O O \|NQM| 13.

Aus. 12. 1969 J. R. CONNER ETAL 3,460,313

BAG CLOSURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1967 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 V i l\ a v GQ g l v IN ENTOR unfjgswg Nus B). /mcvup'm 041014,50

irren/sys US- l2, 1969 J. R. coNNER ET AL 3,460,313

BAG cLosunE APPARATUS l Filed Aug. 4. 1967 y 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 5' a FIEL'E k/ I N VEN TORS JOSEPH R. CoA/msx :rack L. HEM BY Ainhoa: Af-'9Mbzkson/ ug. l2, 1969 J. R. coNNER ET AL 3,460,313

BAG CLOSURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4. 1967 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Allg. 12,1969 J, R, CONNER ETAL 3,460,313

BAG CLOSURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 .FIETS AINVENT ORS JOSEPH R. can/MEE .Tacx n. #ELM Y l/VROLD M 4//022504/Arraxasy;

Aug. 12, 1969 J, R, CONNER ET AL 3,460,313

BAG CLOSURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4. 1967 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORSJOSEP# E. conm/ek .7790K D. #51M BY /loz Al. #Alwscw (/Wyww una rram/sysAug. 12, 1969 if'iled Aug. 4, 1967 J. R. CONNER ETAL BAG CLOSUREAPPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 r ram/srs United rates U.S. Cl. 53 64 13Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A tape applicator and trimmer assemblyfor conveyingly holding the bag top closure upright as the -bag top ismoved through bag top trimmer mechanism, then beneath a folder bladesupport to have wide tape folded over the bag top end, and next adjacenta tear tape guide that directs tape into contact with the folded tape; asewing machine automatically applying a single thread unravelable stitchthrough the bag top, tear tape and folded tape; and a tab applicatorassembly for applying a tab to the terminal edge portion of the teartape and folded tape that includes tab strip, tape guide and feedrollers, a hot air nozzle to activate the tab strip tape adhesive, areciprocated knife for severing a tab from the tab strip tape andcompressor rollers; and lbraking mechanism for the tear tape and widetape reel mounting mechanism. Each of the tape applicator and trimmerassembly and tab applicator assembly include a pair of mounting platesextending along either side of the bag top and hand operated mechanismfor pivoting one of the plates relative the other plate to facilitateinserting the respective tape in position to `be applied and othercleaning and `maintaining of the mechanism mounted on the plates.

Brief summary of the invention Apparatus for forming a sewn bag closureon a bag that includes mechanism for applying a folded tape and teartape on the bag end portion, sewing the folded tape and tear tape andbag one end, and applying a tab to the terminal end portion of the sewnbag closure.

A pair of mounting plates for various components of the tape applicatorand tab applicator assemblies that are resiliently retained in a datumposition and a spread apart position, mechanism for moving said platesbetween said positions, braking mechanism for the wide tape and teartape, the mounting of the folder blade, the mechanism for severing thetab and the other structure for automatically forming a bag closure onone end of a bag having a folded tape, a tear tape, a stitch line and atab.

For purposes of facilitating the description of the invention the tapethat is folded over the bag top prior to being folded thereover isreferred to as wide tape.

Brief description of the drawings FIGURE l is a side elevational view ofthe apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view generally taken along the line and in thedirection -of arrow 2 2 of FIGURE l, for primarily illustrating the tabapplicator assembly and a portion of the sewing machine assembly;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of the tab applicator assembly in adatum condition, said view being generally taken along the line and inthe direction of arrows 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged plan view of the trimmer and tape applicatorassembly, said view being generally taken along the line and in thedirection of arrows 4 4 of FIG- URE 1;

arent FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view, generally takenalong the line and in the direction of arrows 5 5 of FIGURE 3 toillustrate the tab strip cutter knife, the mounting thereof and thestructure for operating Said blade, said view showing the knife as it isbeing moved across the notch;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical elevational View of the tab strip feedermechanism, said view being generally taken along the line and in thedirection of arrows 6 6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGUR 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view generally taken along theline and in the direction of arrows 7 7 of FIGURE 4 to illustrate themechanism for trimming the bag top;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational View of the wide tape applicatorsub-assembly;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the rear endportion of the wide tape applicator subassembly and the bag top conveyormechanism, said view being generally taken along the line and in thedirection of arrows 9 9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary bottom view of the sewing machine, said viewbeing generally taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 1(310 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE l1 is generally a transverse cross-section view taken along theline and in the direction of arrows 11-11 of FIGURE 3, said view moreclearly showing a portion of the structure for feeding the tab striptape, the tube for discharging cooling air adjacent the discharge edgeportion of the tab strip guide and the tube for discharging air throughthe transfer guide;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary rear view of the wide tape and tear tape reelmounting and braking mechanism, said View generally being taken alongthe line and in the direction of the arrows 12 12 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary side view generally taken along the line andin the direction of the arrows 13 13 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view through aportion of the sewing machine and sewn bag top closure with thethicknesses of the closure exaggerated, said view being generally takenalong the line and in the direction of the arrows 14-14 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 15 is a simplified showing of the control circuitry andcomponents of this invention; and

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary side view of the bag top closure formed bythe apparatus of this invention.

The type of bag top closure formed by the apparatus of this invention isgenerally the same as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,100,596Igranted Aug. 13, 1963; and that disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,145,129,granted Aug. 18, .1964 other than the bag closure of U.S. Patent3,145,129 is a bag bottom closure. That is, the apparatus of thismvention provides a bag top closure on a filled, gusseted multi-wallpaper Ibag 2 having gussets 1 that comprises a paper tape 3a folded overthe end of the bag top and a line of Astitched thread 4a driven throughthe folded tape and the walls of the bag and sewing the walls togetheradjacent the top end of the bag (see FIGURE 16). The length of the tape`31a is greater than the width of the bag and said tape has integral endportions 3b and 3c which extend outwardly of the leading and trailingedges 7 and 8 respectively of the bag. The stitching extends completelythroughout the length of the folded tape and is driven through a narrowtear tape strip 5a on the side of the bag that is referred to as theneedle side, this side being the side which faced the needle of thesewing machine providing the stitching. The stitching is of a singlethread unravelable chain stitch type.

A tab 6a is releasably secured to the end portion 3c of tape 3a andfirmly adhered to the adjacent end portion of the tear tape strip 5aover the thread on the needle side of the folded tape. The end portion3c is the end of the folded tape from which the unraveling of thestitched thread progresses. The tab secured to the folded tape, the teartab and the stitched thread are in the same relationship as disclosed inU.S. Patent 3,100,596 relative the folded tape, the narrow paper ribbonand stitching respectively.

Referring now in particular to FIGURES 1-3 inclusive, the tab applicatorassembly, generally designated 10, of the apparatus of this invention,generally designated 11, will now be described. The tab strip applicatorassembly includes a pair of longitudinally elongated horizontal plates12, 13 that are transversely spaced from one another and have straightadjacent edge portions, plate 12 being dependingly bolted to an anglebracket 14 that in turn is mounted on one end of the transverseelongated block 15. The opposite end of block 15 is attached to an anglebracket 16 which in turn is bolted to one end of the longitudinallyelongated frame member 17 of the main frame (on parts beingillustrated). Also mounted on angle bracket 16 in overlying relationshipto block 15 and welded to block 15 is a support block 1S. As may benoted from FIGURE 2, block 18 is of Substantially greater transverselength than block 15 and extends into overlying relationship to the rearcorner portion of plate The annular end portion of a pivot arm 21 iskeyed to the upper end of a vertical pivot shaft 22, shaft 22 extendingpivotally through an aperture in one end of the block 18. An annularspacer 23 is mounted on shaft 22 in abutting relationship with block 18,a collar 24 being provided on the shaft beneath spacer 23. An attachmentmember 25 is ixedly keyed to the lower end of shaft 22 and is bolted toplate `13 whereby when pivot arm 21 is turned in the direction of arrow26, plate 13 will be pivoted about the axis of shaft 22 the same angularamount in the same direction.

A ball joint assembly 27 is pivotally connected to the end of the pivotarm 21 opposite shaft 22, the ball joint assembly mounting one endportion of a connecting rod 28 for movement about a vertical pivot axisrelative said arm 21. The opposite end of rod 28 is mounted by a balljoint assembly 29 which in turn is pivotally mounted on one end of aportion 30a of a right angle crank arm 30 to permit said opposite endpivoting about a vertical axis relative arm 30. The apex portion of thecrank arm is pivotally mounted on a vertical pivot member 31 which inturn is mounted on the horizontally intermediate portion of block 1S toextend thereabove. The opposite end of the crank arm mounts an upwardlyextending handle 32. Accordingly, when the handle 32 is pivoted from thedatum position of FIGURE 3 in the direction of arrow 33 about pivot 31,the ball joint assembly is generally pivoted in the direction of arrow34 relative crank arm portion 30a to move the connecting rod and balljoint assembly 27 whereby the pivot arm and shaft 22 are provided in thedirection of arrow 26 about the axis of shaft 22 to pivot plate 13 tomove the front end portion thereof away from plate 12.

In order to resiliently urge and return plate 13 to its datum positionwhen plate 13 is adjacent its datum position, or to its spread apartcondition when plate 13 is adjacent its spread apart condition, abracket 36 is mounted on block 18 transversely intermediate pivot 31 andshaft 22 and a short distance rearwardly thereof, one end of coil spring37 being connected to bracket 36 while an opposite end is connected to abracket 38 that is attached to the connecting rod 28 in a xed position.However, when the handle 32 has been pivoted to move plate 13 to aspread apart condition relative plate 12, the end of the coil springthat is connected to bracket 38 is on the opposite side of shaft `31from the datum condition and thereby resiliently retains the plate 13 inthe spread apart condition.

To limit the pivoting of handle 32 in the direction opposite arrow 33 toa datum position, a bracket 39 is attached to block 18 and mounts anadjustment nut and bolt 40 in a position to have the bolt abut againstthe mid portion of the pivot arm 21. That is, bolt 40 is threaded intobracket 39 sufficiently that when arm 21 abuts against the head of thebolt, plate 13 will have its one edge 13a spaced from and parallel tothe adjacent edge of plate 12.

A transfer guide 43, that is generally U-shaped in transversecross-section, is mounted on the forward end portion of plate 12 throughstructure described hereinafter to extend forwardly thereof andtransversely over the space between plates 12 and 13 for guiding the bagtop between said plates and retaining it upright. The forward endportion of the guide which extends forwardly of plate 13 is flared tohave its side wall portions converge inwardly in a rearward directionand a web portion tapered in a downwardly direction. A line 396 isconnected to a source of air under pressure 400 and dischargesdownwardly through the web portion of the transfer guide (see FIGURE11).

Mounted on plate 13 to extend adjacent the rearward terminal end of thetransfer guide is a tab guide 68, guide 63 having a terminal end portionthat is elongated in a generally transverse direction and inclined a fewdegrees rearwardly in a direction toward the transfer guide. Anintermediate portion of guide 68 extends between feed rollers 45 and 46to feed the tab strip tape therethrough when said rollers are in a tabfeed condition (see FIG- URES 6 and 11). Roller 45 has a diametricallyenlarged annular flange 45a which has a knurled surface, flange 45aextending into the tab strip guide through a notch 68]) formed in saidguide opposite the slot 68a of the guide that extends the lengththereof.

Roller 46 has a diametrically enlarged ange portion 46a having a smoothcircumferential surface at the same elevation as flange 45a. A pair ofvertical stud shafts 47 are mounted on plate 13 and by a somewhattriangular shaped plate 49. Roller 45 is rotatably mounted on one shaft47 while a spacer 48 is mounted on the other shaft 47. On each of thestud shafts 47 intermediate plates 49 and 13 respectively there isrotatably mounted intermeshing gears 50 and 51. Gear 50 and spacer 48 onone shaft 47 together with roller 45 and gear 51 on the other stud shaft47 maintain plate 49 vertically above and parallel to plate 13.

One end portion of a plate 52 is welded to an apex portion of plate 49to extend forwardly thereof, the opposite end portion of plate 52dependingly mounting a pivot member 53 which in turn is connected to themid portion of an arm 54 to permit the arm pivoting about a verticalaxis relative plate 52. One end of arm 54 dependingly mounts a studshaft 58, a gear 59 being provided on stud shaft 58 in intermeshingrelationship with gear 51 and connected to roller 46 to rotate saidroller. Gear 51 is connected to the feed roller 45 to rotate said rollerwhen the gear is rotated.

A bracket 60 is welded to the opposite end of arm 54 while a bracket 61is welded to plate 52. One end of a coil spring 63 is connected to abolt that is mounted by a -bracket 60 while the opposite end isconnected to a `bolt that is mounted by a bracket 61, the coil springconstantly resiliently urging the bracket 60 to move toward the bracket61 whereby rollers 45, 46 are retained in the spaced apart condition. Inorder to move the rollers to a tab feeding Condition, there is provideda piston cylinder combination having a cylinder 64 mounted on bracket 61and a piston rod 65 that is attached to bracket 60. Upon applying airunder pressure to the cylinder 64, the piston rod is moved to anextended condition to pivot arm 54 in the direction of arrow 66 aboutshaft 53 to move Harige 46a into abutting relationship with flange 45a,provided no tab strip extends between said flanges. Flange 46a in a tabfeed condition extends into guide slot 68u.

From the entry nip formed by the rollers 45, 46 in a tab feed condition,guide 'extends transversely outwardly and thence rearwardly andupwardly. As may be noted from FIGURES l and 3, the rearward portion ofthe guide 68 extends to maintain a tab strip to be in crosssection in ahorizontal plane while the intermediate portion is twisted such that thetab strip is in a vertical condition when it enters the entry nipbetween rollers 45, 46 and is moved adjacent the transfer guide.

The tab strip 6 has an adhesive surface that is activated by directinghot air thereagainst, there being provided a conventional electricalheater tube 69 that heats air as it flows therethrough. One end of tube69 is in fluid communication with a line 71 that is connected to asource 70 of air under pressure. Appropriate valving (not shown) isprovided in line 71 to control the ow of air therethrough. The tube 69is mounted on a bracket 62 that is bolted to angle iron 91. The oppositeend of the heater tube is in fluid communication with a pipe 72 that inturn is connected to a T-joint 73. One end of joint 73 opens to athermometer 74 while the opposite end of said joint mounts and is influid communication with one end of an air nozzle 75. The nozzle 75 hasan outlet end 75a that opens adjacent the exit end of the guide 68 fordirecting hot air under pressure into the adjacent adhesive surface ofthe tab strip located in the terminal end portion of said guide. In thisconnection, it is to be mentioned that the guide 68 and the bracket d4have the horizontally extending slot 68a intermediate the oppositehorizontal edges of the tab strip and facing the hot air nozzle wherebyhot air from the nozzle may impinge on the adhesive surface of the tabstri AP line 67 has one end connected to a source of air under pressure(not shown) and an opposite end portion that extends adjacent to thetransversely extending portion of the tab strip` guide 68. Line 67discharges in a general horizontanl direction toward the entry nipbetween feed rollers 1.5, 46 and along slot 68a to provide a source ofcooling air. The purpose of providing the cooling air is to keep thetransfer guide 63 at a sufficiently low temperature that the adhesive isnot activated by discharge of hot air from the nozzle 75 at a locationrearwardly of the bracket 43.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 5, rearwardly of the terminal end of thetransfer guide bracket 43 and to one side thereof there is provided amounting bracket 76 having a horizontal leg 76h bolted to plate 12.Mounting bracket 76 has a leg 76a that extends vertically upwardly andtransversely in a direction toward plate 13, tab strip cutter mountingplate 77 being secured to leg 76a by bolts 79 such that the lower endthereof extends transversely across the space between plates 12, 13 andat a slightly higher elevation than said plates. Cutter plate 77 has adownwardly opening notch 82 that converges in a longitudinal rearwarddirection, the transverse width of the forward portion of the notchbeing substantially equal to the distance between plates 12, 13 in adatum condition such as indicated by the dotted line edges 82a in FIGURE5. A pivot bolt S3 has a threaded end portion threadedly secured inplate 77 at a location vertically above notch 82 such that the boltextends horizontally rearwardly of plate 77. A cutter drive arm 80 hasan intermediate portion 80a with an aperture through which the bolt 83extends whereby the drive arm is pivotally mounted on said bolt, and anarm portion 80b integrally joined to portion 80a to generally dependtherefrom adjacent plate 77. A bolt 81 pivotally extends through portion80h and is threadedly secured in the intermediate portion of a tab stripcutter blade (knife) 78 whereby the tab strip cutter blade is locatedtransversely between plate 77 and the drive arm. The cutter blade hasbifurcated arm portions 73a that extend upwardly along either side ofbolt 83 to form a loose pivotal fit therewith, and an elongated portion78b on the positive side of bolt 81 that has transversely oppositecutting edges.

Drive arm 80 also has a transverse rearwardly, upwardly extending arm80e that is pivotally connected by a pivot member 84 to the outer end ofthe piston rod 85 6 of a piston cylinder combination that also includesa cylinder 86 (see FIGURE 5). The end of the cylinder remote from thepiston rod is connected by a pivot member 87 to a pivot block 8S, pivotblock 88 in turn being bolted by vertically extending bolt 89 to alongitudinally extending angle bracket 90. The lower end of the verticalleg of a longitudinally elongated angle bracket 90 is welded to theangle bracket 91 to extend thereabove, the rearward edge of anglebracket 91 in turn being welded to block 18.

A spring is provided on bolt 83 to have one end bear against a washerwhich in turn bears against the head end of said bolt while the oppositeend of the spring bears against leg portion 80e of the drive arm. As aresult, the drive arm is resiliently urged in a forward directionwhereby the cutter blade 78 is resiliently retained in abuttingrelationship with the cutter plate.

In order to mount the transfer guide bracket 43 to have its reaward endforwardly of and in longitudinal alignment for directing a bag top intonotch 82a, bolts 78 mount a guide bracket 96 on the mounting plate 77opposite the cutter blade 77 (see FIGURE 3). Bracket 96 in turn throughbolts 97 mounts the one leg of an angle bracket 98 in a selectedadjusted position while the longitudinal extending leg of said bracketis welded to one leg of the transfer lbracket 43.

A sewn bag top having a tab thereon passing longitudinally rearwardly ofthe cutter knife 78 moves into the entry nip of compression rollers 102,103 at a location below bolt 83. Roller 103 is rotatably mounted on astud shaft 105 which has its lower end secured in plate 13, a gear 104being rotatably mounted on shaft 105 and connected to roller 103 todrive said roller. Gear 104 is mounted at an elevation to be inintermeshing driving relationship with idler gear 50 and in drivenrelationship to a gear 106 that is rotatably mounted on a stud shaft107. Shaft 107 has its lower end portion secured to plate 12 androtatably mounts roller 102 in a position to be closely adjacent roller103. Roller 102 is drivenly connected to gear 106. Also rotatablymounted on Shaft 107 and drivenly connected to gear 106 is a sprocket109. Sprocket 109 is driven by a chain 110, one run 110b of the chainextending around an idler sprocket 112 that is rotatably mounted by astud shaft 113 in depending relationship to the horizontal plate 114.Plate 114 is bolted to the horizontal leg of bracket 91 to extendtransversely outwardly thereof. The run a extends transversely ofsprocket 109 and thence partially around the idler sprocket 115 toextend longitudinally forwardly thereof. Idler sprocket 115 is rotatablymounted on a stud shaft 116 (see FIGURE 5), shaft 116 being mounted byone end of a transverse plate 117, the opposite end of the plate beingbolted to horizontal leg of bracket 91 at a location forwardly of plate114. As a result, when chain run 110b is moved in the direction of thearrow 121, sprocket 109 and gear 106 are rotated in the direction ofarrow 118 whereby gear 104 is driven in the direction of arrow 119.Accordingly rollers 102, 103 are respectively rotated in the directionof arrows 113, 119. At the same time gear 50 is driven in the directionor arrow to in turn drive gear 51 in the direction of arrow 121, gear 51in turn driving gear 59 in the direction of arrow 122 when air has beenapplied to cylinder 64 to through arm 54 move gear 59 into intermeshingrelationship with gear 51. At the time gears 51 and 59 are driven, thefeed rollers 45, 46 are respectively rotated in the direction of arrows121, 122 to advance a tab strip toward the transfer guide at anelevation of the tear-tape bag top closure.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 10, there is provided a sewingmachine, generally designated 125, longitudinally forwardly of the tabapplicator assembly. The sewing machine is sold under the trademarkUnion Special by the assignee of this application and is of aconstruction to provide a taped-sewn bag top closure of the naturedescribed in U.S. Patents 2,987,164, 3,100',- 596 and 3,145,129; thetype of stitching being clearly illustrated in FIGURE 6 of U.S. Patent2,987,164. In view of the foregoing, the sewing machine will only bebriefly described. The sewing machine includes a sewing head 126 havinga stitching needle 127 for forming a sewn bag top closure as the bag topin a closed condition together with the wide tape folded thereover aremoved longitudinally rearwardly between the throat plate 128 and presserfoot 129 (see FIGURE l0). While the sewing machine is sewing a stitchline, it in a conventional manner pulls the tear tape and folded taperearwardly to move at the same speed as the movement of the bag. Aconventionally mounted clipper blade 132 is provided to be movedadjacent a stationary knife 133 for severing the folded tape, tear tapeand thread. An actuator 131 is conventionally mounted and is moved awayfrom the throat plate when a bag top moves into the entry nip of saidactuator and throat plate to actuate conventional mechanism 130 to movethe clipper blade to act in conjunction with knife 133 to perform theaforementioned severing function. Also, when the bag top exits from theexit nip between said actuator and throat plate, the actuator movestoward the throat plate to actuate mechanism to again move the clipperblade relative to knife 133 to sever the tapes and thread.

A sewing machine drive pulley 141 through conventional structureprovides drive for operating the sewing needle, mechanism 130 and thepresser foot. Pulley 141 is driven by the belt 142 which in turn isdriven by the motor pulley 143 that is keyed to the shaft 144 of a motor145 that is mounted on the main frame.

The frame portion 136 which mounts the sewing machine is supported onframe rods 134 that in turn are attached to frame mem-bers 135. Theframe members 135 in turn are joined to channel 17 through frame members(not shown). The frame portion 136 mounts rods 137 that in turn mountsthe motor 145 and other structure for mounting the tab strip reel, andthe thread, most of said structure not being illustrated.

Longitudinally forwardly of the sewing machine is the trimmer and tapeapplicator assembly, generally designated 160. Referring now to FIGURESl and 4, the applicator assembly 160 includes a pair of longitudinallyelongated plates 161, 162, the mounting of which is generally the sameas the mounting of plates 12, 13 other than plates 161, 162 aredependingly supported at their forward end portions. That is, plate 161in the datum position is retained parallel to and transversely spacedfrom plates 162 but may be pivoted about a vertical axis relative plate162 such that the rearward end of plate 161` is substantially spacedfrom the corresponding portion of plate 162. That is, plate 162 isbolted to an angle bracket (not shown) that in turn is attached to ablock 15. Block 15 and the transversely elongated block 164 that is inoverlying relationship to block 15 are bolted to an angle bracket 165which in turn is mounted on the forward end of frame member 17. Theforward end portion of block 164 which overlays plate 161, mounts ashaft 22, the lower end of the shaft having an attachment member 25keyed thereto and bolted to the forward end portion of plate 161 tomount plate 161 whereby pivotal movement of the shaft will pivotallymove said plate. A pivot arm 21 is keyed to the shaft and at its outerend mounts a ball joint assembly 27 which in turn mounts connecting rod28. Connecting rod mounts a ball joint assembly 29 that is pivotallyconnected to one end of the crank arm 30. Crank arm 30 is pivotallymounted on the vertical pivot member 31 that is mounted by block 164,the crank arm also mounting an upright handle 166. A coil spring 57 isconnected to bracket 38 mounted on the connecting rod and to a bracket16S mounted on block 164 for resiliently retaining plates 161, 162, ineither their datum condition or their spread apart condition in a mannersimilar to that described with reference to plates 12, 13. It is to benoted that no structure is provided on block 164 t0 limit the pivotalmovement of the front end portion of plate 161 toward plate 162.

A vertical stud shaft 174 rotatably mounts a chain sprocket 175 independing relationship to the forward end portion of plate 162 while asecond stud shaft correspondingly dependingly mounts a chain sprocket176 in depending relationship to plate 161. A chain 177 is extendedaround sprocket 176 and sprocket 178, sprocket 17S being mounted on andkeyed to a vertical shaft 179 (see FIGURE 4) to be in underlyingrelationship to the rearward end of plate 161 (see FIGURE 9). Atensioning sprocket 703 is mounted on plate 161 to abut against chain177.A chain 180 is extended around sprocket 175 and a sprocket 181 thatis keyed and mounted by a shaft 182 in underlying relationship to plate162, a tensioning sprocket 185 being mounted on plate 162 to abutagainst chain 180. With the plates 161, 162 in their datum position, thesprcoket 175 is transversely opposite sprocket 176 while sprocket 178 istransversely opposite bracket 181, the aforementioned sprockets mountingthe chains 177, 180 such that their inner runs are in abuttingrelationship when no bag top is located therebetween.

A spacer member 184 rotatably mounts shaft 182, spacer member 194 beingmounted in abutting relationship with the upper surface of plate 162.Likewise, a second spacer 184 rotatably mounts shaft 179 on plate 161.Keyed to the upper end of shaft 179 is a gear 186, a gear 186 being indriven relationship to a gear 187 that is keyed to shaft 102. A sprocket190 is keyed to the upper end of shaft 182, sprocket 190 being driven bya chain 191. Chain 191 in turn is driven by a sprocket 192 that is keyedto the output shaft 193 of the reducer 194, the tensioning sprocket 199for chain 191 being mounted on plate 162. The pulley on the input shaftof the reducer 194 is driven by a belt 195, belt 19S in turn beingdriven by a pulley (not shown) on the motor shaft of the drive motor196. The reducer and drive motor are mounted on a horizontal plate 197which in turn is mounted on the frame member 17. On the lower end of thereducer shaft 193 there is keyed a sprocket 198 for driving the chain110 which is extended around said sprocket. Vertically between sprockets198, 192, a sprocket 201 is keyed to shaft 193, sprocket 201 driving achain 202. One run of the chain 202 extends longitudinally forwardly ofsprocket 201 to pass around the idler sprocket 203 that is rotatablymounted on the horizontal plate 204. Plate 204 is mounted on plate 162and extends transversely toward frame member 17 at a location justreawardly of block 164. From sprocket 203, the chain 202 extends indriving relationship to sprocket 205 that is rotatably mounted on a studshaft 206, stud shaft 206 in turn being mounted by plate 204. Chain 202thence passes over idler sprocket 208 and thence to sprocket 201. Theidler sprocket 208 is mounted on an arm (not shown) that is pivotallyconnected to plate 162, there being provided a spring (not shown) forresiliently urging the arm to urge sprocket 208 in a direction to retainchain 202 in a tight condition.

A pair of longitudinally elongated bag top guides 210, 211 arerespectively mounted at a higher elevation than plates 161, 162 byclamps 212, each clamp in turn being mounted by block 164. Thelongitudinally extending por tions of the bag top guide provide a throatthat initially transversely converges for directing the bag top betweenthe plates 161, 162. As may be noted from FIGURE 1, clamp 211 has a pairof longitudinally extending rod portions 211a, 211b at a substantiallyhigher elevation than plate 161. Portions 211er, 211b extend betweenshafts 174 about edge 161g of plate 161 and terminate at a locationbetween shafts 214, 21S. Guide 210 has rod portions 210:1, 210b thatextend longitudinally above the edge of plate 162 that is adjacent edge161a from longitudinally adjacent shafts 174 to adjacent shafts 214, 215and then are curved to in a longitudinal direction extend transverselyacross plate 161 at a location rearwardly of shaft 215.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 7, a gear 218 is keyed to shaft 215 inintermeshing driven relationship to a gear 217 that is keyed to a shaft214, gear 217 in turn being driven by a gear 219 that is rotatablymounted on shaft 206 and drivenly connected to sprocket 205. Shaft 214is rotatably mounted by an ear 216al of bracket 216 While shaft 215 isrotatably mounted by an ear 216b of said bracket. Bracket 216 has alongitudinally extending portion 216C that is bolted to the end of block164 that is opposite frame member 17.

A knife shaft support 220 is provided on shaft 215 axially between ear216b and a felt washer 221, support 220 having an annular flange bearingagainst one edge of the felt washer while the opposite edge of the feltwasher bears against the annular knife 222 that is keyed to shaft 215 torotate therewith. An annular knife 223 is mounted on shaft 214 to have acircumferential edge portion in overlapped relationship to an edgeportion of knife 222, knife 223 being keyed to shaft 214 to rotatetherewith but being movable a limited axial amount relative thereto. Anannular member 224 is provided on shaft 214 and has an enlargeddiametric flange bearing against knife 223, said liange also seating oneend of a coil spring 225 that has an opposite end bearing against ear216a for resil iently urging member 224 in the downward direction.Accordingly a circumferential edge portion of knife 223 is resilentlyretained in an abutting relationship with a circumferential edge portionof knife 222.

As may be noted from FIGURE 7, the knives 222, 223 are spaced verticallyabove plates 161, 162 respectively with their overlapping portions beingtransversely intermediate said plates. Accordingly, as the bag is movedlongitudinally rearwardly, guides 210, 211 direct the bag top to passbetween the annular knives whereby the top edge portion 231:1 of the bagis trimmed off (including the thumb notch portion if one is provided) ata predetermined height above plate 161, 162. The transversely curvedportion 210b of the guide that extends across plate 161 direct the trimportion 231a across the plate. In this connection, it is to be notedthat the inner runs of chains 177, 180 abut against the bag top at anelevation below plates 161, 162 for supportingly retaining the bag topin a vertically extending position.

A guide bracket 228 (see FIGURE 7) is provided for each chain to abutagainst opposed sides of the inner runs, each guide bracket having atransverse rod portion slidably extended into an aperture of a bracket229 that is respectively mounted on plates 161, 162. A spring (notshown) is provided on the rod portion of each guide bracket to bearagainst the respective bracket 229 for resiliently urging the guidebracket 228 toward the bracket 228 that is mounted on the opposite plateof plates 161, 162. A plurality of brackets 228 and bracket mounts 229are provided on plates 161, 162 longitudinally between shafts 179, 215;and 182, 214 respectively.

Referring now in particular to FIGURES 4, 8 and 9, the wide tapeapplicator sub-assembly, generally designated 237, will now be described(see FIGURES 4, 8 .and 9). The sub-assembly 237 includes a spacer bar238 located between a horizontal leg of an angle bracket 239 and plate162, bolts being extended through the angle bracket and bar 238 forattaching the angle bracket in an elevated condition relative to plate162. A pair of transverse bolts 240 are extended through appropriateapertures in the vertical leg of bracket 239 and have nonthreaded endportions extended through blocks 235 intermediate said leg and thegenerally horizontal, longitudinally elongated folder blade support 241.The bolts 240 .are slidably extended into apertures in the folder bladesupport while nuts are threaded on the bolts in abutting relationshipwith the angle bracket. A toggle clamp 242 is mounted on the anglebracket 239 for releasably retaining the folder blade support inabutting relationship with the blocks 235 on bolts 240.

rThe forward end portion of the folder blade support is a short distancerearwardly of the exit nip of the trimmer sub-assembly and mounts atransverse bolt 244. Bolt 244 mounts a finger support collar 245 whichin turn mounts a wire linger 246 that has a longitudinally extendingportion underlying and closely adjacent the folder blade support 241.Also mounted on the bolt 244 is a tape guide 247, said tape guide havingan elongated downwardly and rearwardly extending portion 247a fordirecting the wide tape 3 in a transversely centered condition relativea bag top closure and vertically between the longitudinal portion offinger 246 and the folder blade support. As may in part `be noted fromFIGURE 4, portion 247a has .a slot extending the length thereof tofacilitate inserting the tape 3 therein. Accordingly, the tape guidedirects the wide tape in a centered condition relative the bag top whilethe longitudinal portion of the wire finger partially folds the tape 3without causing excessive dragging.

Rearwardly of the rearward terminal end of finger 246, a smoothingfinger 249 is provided on each side of the folder blade support independing relation thereto, and bolted to said support. The smoothingfingers serve to fold the wide tape downwardly on either transverse sideof the path of travel of a bag top as the wide tape is moved toward thesewing machine. Longitudinally rearwardly of the smoothing fingers andon each side of the folder blade support there is provided a folderblade 250. The folder blades are bolted to the rearward portion of thefolder blade support to extend in depending relationship thereto. Thefolder blades guide the wide tape accurately into closely adjacentfolded relationship with the bag top closure sidewalls as the wide tapemoves rearwardly therepast.

The rearward end portion of the folder blade support is extended intothe notch of a generally horizontal support bracket 252, said bracketbeing mounted on the folder blade support. Bracket 252 at one sidethereof mounts a vertical pivot bolt 254 that pivotally mounts theforward end of a roller support 255. Support 255 in turn dependinglymounts a compression roller 257 having a smooth circumferential surfacefor rotation about a vertical axis. A second pivot bolt 254 is mountedby bracket 252, the second pivot bolt in turn pivotally mounting one endof a roller support 256. The opposite end of support 256 dependinglymounts a compression roller 258 for rotation about a vertical axis. Acoil spring 259 has its opposite ends attached to roller supports 255,256 to resiliently urge the rearward end portions toward one another toa position that compression roller 257 abuts against compression roller258.

Compression roller 258 has an axially intermediate reduced diameterportion to provide an annular groove 25851. Groove 258a is at the sameelevation as the terminal end of the tear tape guide 260, the tear tapeguide terminating a short distance forwardly of roller 258 and beinglocated transversely outwardly of the adjacent folder blade 250 from thefolder Ablade support. The rearward end portion of guide 26@ extendsbetween shafts 179, 182 at a lower elevation than the gears 186, 189ythat are mounted on said shafts. The rearward terminal end portion ofguide 260 retains the tape 5 that passes therethrough in a verticalcondition and at a lower elevation than the fold line of tape 3 and at aslightly higher elevation (for example, Ms of an inch) above theadjacent lower edge of the folded tape on the bag top. The intermediateportion of guide 261i is twisted through an angle of such that thetransverse cross-section through the tear tape 5 guided by the forwardend portion of the tear tape guide is horizontal. An intermediateportion of guide 260 is mounted by .a clamp that is bolted to the folderblade support.

The compression rollers 257, 258 are rotated vertically adjacent andabove the rearward edge portion of plates 162, 161 respectively with theentry and exit nips 1between the compression rollers being transverselycentered between said plates. A bag top guide 262 is mounted on plate.161 for directing the bag top exiting from the compression rollers exitnip into the throat of the sewing machine formed by the presser foot andthroat plate.

With reference to the trimmer and tape applicator assembly, it is to benoted that no adjustment. has to be made even though bag tops of iilledbags in a flattened folded condition have different thicknesses. This isachieved through the provision of the chains 177, 180 being retained inabutting relationship when no bag is passing therethrough. However, whena bag top portion is being conveyed by said chains, plate 161 may pivotto have its rearward portion move transversely away from the rearwardportion of plate 162 while the coil spring 57 acts through a structurepreviously described to resiliently urge the rearward portion of plate161 toward plate 162. Accordingly, as a bag top is directed by guides210, 211 into the entry nip formed by chains 177, 180, plate 161 movesthe rearward portion of chain 177 away from chain 180. As the bag top isconveyed rearwardly between said chains, spring 57 through the structurepreviously described pivotally moves the rearward portion of plate 161more closely adjacent plate 162. As a result, the inner runs f thechains apply substantially constant pressure to the bag top side wallsas the bag top is moved longitudinally rearwardly between said plates.Also, it is to be noted that the depth of the teeth of sprockets 136,189 is sumciently great that they are maintained in intermeshingrelationship even though plate 151 pivots outwardly of plate 162sufficiently to accommodate a bag top in a at folded condition having arelatively large transverse width.

Additionally, it is to be noted that the compression rollers 257, 253are spring urged together to permit bag tops of varying transversewidths to pass therebetween, but at the same time to rmly press thefolded tape against the flattened bag top sidewalls. However, theserollers are not urged together with suicient force to prevent a bag topmoving rearwardly relative the folded tape that abuts against saidrollers,

In order to mount the tape reels that provide a wound continuous lengthof tear tape 5 and wide tape 3, a pair of transverse rods 302 aremounted on frame member 136, said rods in turn mounting a vertical plate303 (see FiG- URES l and 2). An upwardly extending plate 304 is securedto plate 303, a horizontal shaft 305 being extended through an aperturein plate 304 and mounted by said plat-e to be held against rotation.Horizontal brackets 306 and 309 are bolted to plate 304 while on theopposite side of plate 304 from said brackets, a first hub 307 isrotatably mounted on shaft 305. A plurality of metal ngers 30S aremounted by hub 307 to extend radially outwardly therefrom. A tapemounting arbor 310 is rotatably mounted on shaft 305 intermediate hub307 and a second hub 311 that is keyed to shaft 305. Hub 311 also mountsa plurality of radially extending fingers 308.

Hub 311 is spaced from plate 304 by a distance substantially greaterthan the combined axial thickness of arbor 310 and hub 307. A controllink 314 at one end is pivotally connected to hub 307 and at theopposite end is pivotally connected at 315 to the remote end portion ofthe shaft bracket 309. A second control link 313 is pivotally connectedto hub 307 diametrically opposite the pivotal connection of link 314 tosaid hub, the opposite end of control link 313 being pivotally connectedat 316 to shaft bracket 306. The pivotal connections 315, 316 arelocated longitudinally opposite one another than for pivot connection316 being at a higher elevation than pivot connection 315, bracket 306being at a higher elevation than bracket 309.

A swing arm 317 has one end portion extended through hub 307 inperpendicular relationship to a radius line of said hub. the oppositeend of the swing arm mounting a [ape roller 313. A coil spring 319 hasone end attached to an intermediate portion of the swing arm and anopposite end connected to plate 304 at a higher elevation than hub 307.The spring characteristics are such that no pivotal force is imparted tothe swing arm when the swing arm extends generally horizontally in adatum condition with no tape extending over roller 318.

A reel of wide tape is mounted on arbor 310 such that the reel of tapecannot rotate independent of the rotation of the arbor, the tape 3 thenbeing extended around roller 313 and thence down to and through tapeguide portion Z47a. When the tape is being moved rearwardly beneath thefolded blade support, a downward force is exerted on roller 318 tothrough the swing arm 317, exert a force on hub 307 to rotate said hubin a direction opposite arrow 320. Due to the locations of the pivotalconnections of control links 313, 314 to brackets 306, 309 and hub 307,the aforementioned rotation of the hub 307 results in hub 307 movingaxially closed to plate 304. As a result, the braking action that wasbeing exerted on arbor 310 is released and said arbor is free to rotateas tape 3 is 4pulled therefrom. However, the discontinuance of theadvancement of the tape beneath the folder blade support results in nodownward force being exerted on roller 318 (other than for the Weight ofthe tape), and as a result the swing arm 317 and hub 307 are rotated inthe direction of arrow 320 through the action of arrow 320, the controllinks force hub 307 to move axially in the direction of arrow 321 toabut against arbor 310 and force arbor 310 against hub 311 to stop therotation of arbor 310. Thus, the movement of hub 307 in the direction ofarrow 321 results in a breaking force being applied to arbor 310.

A horizontal shaft 324 has one end stationarily mounted by plate 304,the opposite end having a hub assembly 325 keyed thereto. Rotatablymounted on shaft 324 intermediate plate 304 and the hub assembly is anarbor assembly 326, the tape roll arbor assembly 327 being rotatablymounted on shaft 324 intermediate plate 304 and arbor 326. The arborassembly has an enlarged diametrie flange 327:1 adjacent the mountingplate. Assemblies 327 and 326 mount a reel of tear tape such that saidreel can not rotate independent of the rotation of assembly 327.

Vertically above shaft 324, plate 304 mounts a pivot shaft 330. A brakearm 329 at one end mounts a brake 332 in position to engage ange 327a,the opposite end being welded to an annular member 331 that is pivotallymounted on said shaft 330. One end of a swing arm 335 is mounted by anoffset 331a to extend in a generally horizontally longitudinal directionwhen the brake abuts against flange 32761. Oifset 331g is secured tomember 331 to extend radially outwardly therefrom in a different angulardirection than arm 329.

One end of a coil spring 334 is connected to the upper end of thevertical bracket 333 which is keyed to shaft 330. The lopposite end ofspring 334 is connected to an intermediate portion of swing arm 335.Spring 334 resiliently urges arm 335 to pivot in the direction of arrow336 to move the brake to a position that the brake abuts against flange327@ to apply a braking force thereto. The opposite end of swing arm 335rotatably mounts a roller 337.

A reel of tear tape is positioned on arbor members 326, 327 and the tape5 is extended over roller 337 and thence downwardly into the forward endportion of guide 260. When the tear tape is being pulled through guide260, a downward force is exerted on roller 337 to, through the structurepreviously described, pivot the brake 332 out of contact with flange327a whereby the reel of tear tape is free to rotate. However, thediscontinuance of the feeding of the tear tape through guide 260 resultsin the swing arm 335 being moved through the action of spring 334 to aposition that brake 332 again exerts a braking force on ange 327a tostop the rotation of the tear tape.

Referring now to FIGURE 15, there is illustrated a simplified controlcircuit for the apparatus of this invention. The control circuitincludes main power lines L1 and L2, line L1 having junctions 343, 344and 345 while 13 line L2 has junctions 346 through 351 inclusive. Thesolenoid coil 354 of the solenoid operated air valve 355 is connectedacross junctions 347 and 352, two contacts of a solenoid operated relay353 respectively being electrically connected to junctions 343 and 352.

The solenoid operated air valve 355 includes four ports 407-410, port407 being connected to a source of air under pressure 400 and port 408being connected to an exhaust. Port 409 is connected through line 412 toone end of cylinder 86 for applying air under pressure to move thepiston rod 85 to an extended condition while line 411 connects theopposite end of the cylinder to port 410. Internal valving is providedto fluidly connect port 407 to port 409 and port 408 to port 410 whenthe solenoid coil is energized; and to connect port 408 to port 409 andport 407 to port 410 when the solenoid coil is de-energized.

Relay 353 has a switch member 356 that in a solenoid energized conditionelectrically connects the abovementioned contacts, but in a de-energizedcondition breaks the electrical connection between said contacts andaccordingly the electrical connection between junctions 343 and 352.Relay 353 also includes a solenoid coil 357 that is electricallyconnected across junction 346 and terminal 358 of the strip cut switch359. Switch 359 includes a second terminal 360, a third terminal 361that is electrically connected to junction 344 and a switch member 362that is resiliently retained in a position to electrically connectterminals 358, 361; but is movable to electrically connect terminals360, 361.

Terminal 360 is electrically connected to terminal 363 of a strip feedswitch, the strip feed switch including a terminal 364 and a switchmember 365 that is resiliently retained in a position to electricallyconnect terminals 363, 364. A solenoid coil 366 of the solenoid operatedair valve 367 is electrically connected across terminal 364 and junction348.

The solenoid operated air valve 367 includes four ports 401-404, port404 being an exhaust port. Port 401 is connected to a source of airunder pressure 400 while port 403 is connected by a line 405 to the endof cylinder 64 for applying air under pressure to cause the retractionof piston rod 65. The opposite end of cylinder 64 is connected by a line406 to port 402. The valve 367 is provided with internal valving that ina solenoid coil deenergized condition fluidly connects port 401 to port403 and port 402 to port 404; but when the solenoid coil is energized,it fluidly connects port 401 to port 402, and port 403 to port 404.

A starter 370 for the drive motor 196 is connected across junctions 371,351 starter 370 controlling the application of power through lines (notshown) to motor 196. A normally open switch 372 is connected acrossjunctions 371, 373, a starter 374 for the sewing machine motor 145 beingconnected across junctions 349, 373. When power is applied acrossjunctions 349, 373, the starter 374 operates relays that are designatedby block 374e to electrically connect lines 376, 377, 378 to energizemotor 145. Starter 374, when energized, operates an interlock,designated by block 37412, to an open condition, and when de-energized,interlock 374b closes. Starter 370 includes an interlock 370a that isconnected in series across junctions 345, 371 that provide an electricalconnection between junctions 345, 371 when the on-off switch (not shown)in the lines for supplying power to motor 196 is closed. Since thestarters 370, 374 are of a conventional construction, they have not beendescribed in detail.

The sewing machine motor includes a braking winding 380 that isconnected to line 376 and is connected in series with interlock 37419,switch member 381 and rheostat 383, rheostat 383 being connected to line378. Switch 381 is normally in an open condition but is moved to aclosed condition by a timer 382 that is connected across junctions 373,350. The timer is of a construction that when energized, Switch 381 isretained in closed condition and is retained in a closed condition for apredetermined length of time after the timer has been deenergized. Atthe end of the predetermined time, switch 381 is opened. Through theprovision of the braking winding, during the interval of time the switch381 and interlock 374b are closed, the rotation of the motor shaft ofmotor is brought to a quick cushion stop, i.e. stops the coasting of themotor after the de-energization of the motor.

The construction of the apparatus of this invention having beendescribed, the operation thereof will now be set forth. The apparatus ofthis invention is adjusted to a correct sewing height, the frame beingmounted on a conventional adjustment stand (not shown). Also the sewingneedle is threaded and the wide tape 3 and tear tape 5 are inserted intotape guide 247 and tape guide 260 respectively and drawn rearwardlybetween compression rolls 257, 258 to have the terminal ends thereofretained in an elevated condition by the throat plate 128 and thepresser foot 129. The wide tape in passing rearwardly of said rollers isin a folded condition.

Prior to inserting the tapes 3, 5, the handle 166 is pivoted in thedirection of arrow 390 to move the rearward end portion of plate 161away from plate 162 whereby access to the folder blade support and tapeguide 260 may be more readily obtained. In this connection, it is to benoted that the folder blade support and tape guide 260 are mounted onplate 162 and accordingly do not move when handle 166 is pivoted.

Also, the tab strip tape 6 is inserted into guide 68 to have itsterminal end extend adjacent the terminal end of transfer guide 43.Additionally, air under pressure is applied through heater tube 69 andafter the heater tube has warmed to a datum temperature, the on-offswitches I(not shown) for lines L1, L2; lines 376, 377 and 378; and forthe power lines for supplying power through motor 196 are turned onwhereby interlock 370a is closed. This results in motor 196 beingenergized and power being applied to relays 374a but not therethrough tothe sewing machine motor 145. Now, the conveyor 9, which extends bothforwardly and rearwardly of the apparatus of this invention, movesfilled bags having bag tops in a flattened folded condition such thatthe top leading edge portions of the filled bag is moved rearwardly inthe direction of arrow 123 between bag guides V210, 211. As the bag ismoved rearwardly, the bag top moves between plates 161, 162 into theentry nip of chains 177, 180, the portion of the bag top extendingbetween a predetermined elevation above said plates being trimmed offdue to the bag top subsequently moving into the entry nip of knives 222,223 and then rearwardly of said knife. After the leading edge portion ofthe bag has moved rearwardly of the trimmer knife assembly, the bagmoves beneath the folder blade support 241 and thence between thesmoothing fingers 249. In the event the sewing machine motor is stoppedat the time the bag moves beneath the folder blade support, the bag topmoves relative the folded tape, and between the folded portions of thetape including the portion between the compression rollers 257, 258.However, if the sewing machine motor is operating, the tear tape 5 andwide tape 3 are being conventionally drawn toward the sewing machine atthe same rate of speed as the bag moves toward the sewing machine. Withthe tapes 3 and 5 being moved along with the bag top, as the folder tapemoves beneath the folder blade support, the smoothing finger 249 causepartial folding of the wide tape over the top terminal edges of the bagand the folding of the wide tape down along the adjacent verticalsidewall portions of the bag is completed by the folder blades 250. Asthe leading edge portion of the bag enters the entry nip between thecompression rollers 257, 258 the tear tape passing through the rearwardterminal end of the guide 260 is brought into abutting engagement withthe adjacent vertical edge portion of the folded tape by compressionroller 258. After the bag top is moved out of the exit nip of chains177, 180 and slightly rearwardly of the compression rollers 257, 258, aleading edge portion of the bag at an elevation below the folded tapeabuts against the feeler rod 392, said feeler rod being connected toswitch 372 to operate the switch to a closed condition. At the timeswitch 372 is closed, the leading edge of the bag is forwardly of theneedle 127 by a distance somewhat greater than dimension D of FIGURE 16.

Switch 372 in being closed energizes the solenoid coil (not shown) ofstarter 374 and timer 382, starter 374 in thus being energized operatingthe relay 374a to apply power to the sewing machine motor 145 andopening interlock 374]: to prevent the brake winding being energized. Atthe same time the timer 382 is energized whereby switch 381 is moved toa closed condition, switch 381 closing after interlock 374!) is opened.As a result no braking action is applied to motor 145 at this time. Theneedle 127 is operated to form the unravelable chain stitch and when theleading edge of the bag top closure is moved into the entry nip formedby actuator 131 and throat plate 128, the continued movement of the bagmoves the actuator away from the throat plate. This movement of theactuator actuates control mechanism 130 to operate the clipper knife 132to sever the stitched folded tape and tear tape a predetermined distance(distance D of FIGURE 16) in advance of the leading edge of the bag top.Thus, the sewn tear tape and folded tape resulting from the sewingmachine motor coasting that is further from the leading edge of the bagthan distance D is trimmed away. After the trailing edge portion of thebag top has passed from between the actuator and throat plate, theactuator again moves toward the throat plate, there then only being thestitched folded tape and tear tape between the throat plate andactuator, and actuates control mechanism 130 to operate the clipperblade 132 to move to sever the folded tape, tear tape and thread at adistance R rearwardly of the bag top trailing edge. At about the sametime, the bag moves out of contact with the feeler arm 392 andaccordingly, switch 372 moves to an open position. This results in thestarter 374 cle-energizing motor 145; however, timer 382 through a timedelay retains switch 381 in a closed condition for a predetermined timeand then moves switch 381 to an open condition whereupon the brakewinding is de-energized. De-energizing starter 374 results in interlock374b being closed during the time internal switch 381 is closed and as aresult the brake winding is energized to stop the coasting of the motorbefore said winding is de-energized.

The continued conveyance of the bag in a rearward direction by conveyor9 moves the sewn bag top closure through the transfer guide where thedischarge of air through tube 396 blows away any trimmed folded and teartape that may not have been completely severed from the leadinor edgeportion 3b. Prior to the leading edge of the bag top closure emergingfrom the rearward end of the transfer guide 43, the bag top moves thestrip feed feeler arm 393 to a position to open switch member 365.Thence the bag leading edge moves feeler arm 394 which in turn movesswitch member 362 to break the electrical connection between terminals358, 361 and to electrically connect terminals 360, 361. Breaking theaforementioned electrical connection de-energizes solenoid coil 357whereupon switch member 356 moves to an open condition to de-energizesolenoid coil 354. As a result air under pressure is now applied throughports 407, 410 to cause the piston rod 85 to retract and thereby movethe knife 80 across notch 82. However, at this time there is nothingextending through the notch to be cut.

When the trailing edge of the bag moves out of contact with the stripfeed arm 393, a trailing edge portion of the folded tape is stillpartially in the transfer guide 43. The resulting closing of switch 36Senergizes solenoid coil 366 to apply air under pressure through ports401, 402 to the end of the cylinder 64 for extending the piston rod 65.The extending of the piston rod moves feed roller 46 closely adjacentfeed roller 45 whereby the feed roller 46 is driven and the feed rollerflange portions advanced the tab strip tape 6 in the direction towardthe rearward en d of the transfer guide. As the tab strip tape isadvanced, the adhesive surface thereof is contacted by the hot airdischarging from nozzle 75 to activate the adhesive and bend the tabstrip tape toward the cutter plate. The leading edge of the tab strip isbrought into abutting relationship with the tear tape 5a as said leadingedge moves into the notch 82 and adheres suiciently to the tear tape 5ato move rearwardly in contact with the tear tape.

After the trailing edge of the bag has moved rearwardly of the cutterblade plate a short distance, the bag moves out of contact with thestrip feeler arm 394, and accordingly, switch 362 moves to break theelectrical connection between terminals 361, 360 and electricallyconnect terminals 358, 361 to energize solenoid 357. This de-energizesvalve 367 and as a result air under pressure is applied to cylinder 64to retract piston rod 65 and move sprocket 59 and roller 46 out of a tabstrip feeding condition. At the time solenoid coil 357 is energized, theterminal edge portion 3c of the folded tape and tear strip issubstantially rearwardly of the cutter blade. The energization ofsolenoid coil 357 moves switch member 356 to provide a circuit forenergizing solenoid coil 354, This results in air under pressure beingapplied through ports 407, 409' to cylinder 86 whereby piston rod 85 ismoved to its extended condition. The aforementioned movement of thepiston rod pivots the knife 78 to move across the notch 82 to sever thetab 6a from the tab strip 6.

After the sewn bag top closure has moved rearwardly of the cutter blade78, it enters the entry nip between the driven compression rollers 102,103, the tab in passing between the compression rollers being forcedinto a firm adhering relationship with the adjacent portion of the tearstrip and the folded tape 3a on the bag top.

Even though the operation of the apparatus of this invention has beendescribed with reference to one bag, it is to be understood that anumber of bags in succession may be on conveyor 9, i.e. more than onebag may be along the path of travel of a bag through said apparatus.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exelusive property orprivilege is claimed are dened as follows:

1. Apparatus for providing a bag closure on a bag one end portion thathas a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposite sidewall portions in aflatten closely adjacent condition as the bag is conveyed in a rearwardlongitudinal direction along a given path of movement, said one endportion having terminal edges dening a bag opening, comprising alongitudinally elongated frame having a front portion and a rearportion, a tape applicator assembly mounted on the forward end portionof said fra-me, said tape applicator assembly including first and secondhorizontal, longitudinally elongated plates, first means mounted on theframe for mounting said rst and second plates in transversely spacedrelationship; second and third longitudinally elongated endless conveyormeans having inner runs for abutting against said opposite sidewallportions adjacent and spaced from said bag terminal edge to retain thesidewall portions in a generally vertical extending condition abuttingagainst one another and extending to a higher elevation than said rstand second plates, fourth means mounted on said first and second platesfor mounting said conveyor means with their inner runs transverselybetween said plates and vertically spaced therefrom and driving saidconveyor means to move the conveyor means inner runs rearwardly at thesame speed, longitudinally elongated tape folder means mounted on atleast one of said plates for folding a first tape over said bag terminaledge to extend generally vertically in abutting relationship with saidsidewall portions as the sidewall portions are being conveyinglyretained in abutting relationship by said second and third means, saidfolder means folding the first tape to have a folded edge and loweredges, said tape folder means having a forward end portion and arearward end portion, means connected to said tape folder means forguidingly directed tape to the folder means forward end portion, meansextending adjacent said folder means for guidingly directing a tear tapeinto abutting relationship with the folded tape on one side thereofvertically intermediate the tape folded edge and one lower edge of saidfolded tape; a sewing machine having a needle mounted on said framelongitudinally rearwardly of the tape applicator assembly for applying athreaded unravelable stitch line through said tear tape, folded tape andthe adjacent bag sidewall portions to form a sewn bag closure and severthe folded tape, tear tape and thread forming the stitch line atlocations spaced from and adjacent the trailing and leading edges ofsaid sidewall portions; and a tab strip applicator assembly mounted onthe rear portion of said frame for applying and adhering a tab to thetrailing end portion of the sewn folded tape and tear tape to extendlongitudinally away therefrom in a direction opposite the movement ofthe bag, said tab applicator assembly including third and fourthhorizontal, longitudinally elongated plates having front and rear endportions and adjacent edge portions, fifth means mounted on the rearportion of the frame for mounting said third and fourth plates intransverse spaced relationship on either side of the path of travel ofthe bag, longitudinally elongated transfer guide means mounted on atleast one of said third and fourth plates for maintaining the sewn bagclosure in a vertical condition as the bag moves rearwardly of thesewing machine, tab strip guide means for guidingly directing a tabstrip having an adhesive surface into abutting relationship with thesewn bag closure with the adhesive facing said closure as the bag movesthereby, sixth means mounted on one of said plates for severing the tabstrip at a location rearwardly of the tab strip guide -means and spacedfrom the trailing edge of the severed folded tape, and seventh means onat least one of said third and fourth plates for feeding the tab stripto and through the tab strip guide means in timed relationship to themovement of the bag to apply the tab strip to the sewn bag closureadjacent the closure terminal end portion to extend rearwardly thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the seventhmeans includes a first feed roller, a second feed roller, means on oneof said third and fourth plates for mounting said first roller to rotateabout a vertical axis, means for mounting said second roller to rotateabout a vertical axis and moving said second roller between a datumposition substantially spaced from the first roller and a secondposition closely adjacent the first roller to feed a tab strip extendedtherebetween, generally transversely toward the severing means, andmeans for driving said rollers when the second roller is in its secondposition.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tab strip adhesive is heatactivated, further characterized in that means is mounted on the framefor directing hot air into contact with the tab strip portion that haspassed between said rollers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the severingsixth means comprises a cutter plate having a downwardly opening notchextending longitudinall-y therethrough, fourteenth means for mountingsaid cutter plate rearwardly of the transfer guide with its notch abovethe third and fourth plates and opening between said third and fourthplates, a knife, and means for mounting said knife and moving the knifeacross said notch for severing the tab strip extended through the notchto provide a tab.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that the knifemounting and moving means comprises a piston cylinder combinationconnected to the frame and means operated by the piston cylindercombination for moving said knife.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that there isprovided control means on the frame for operating the second rollermounting means to the second roller second position after the bagleading edge portion has moved into said notch and prior to the severedtape and folded tape trailing edge portions have moved rearwardly of thetransfer guide and thence to operate the second roller mounting means toits first position, and operating the knife mounting and moving means tomove the knife to sever the tab strip after the folded tape and teartape trailing edges have moved adjacent said notch.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the firstmeans includes a transverse mounting block, eighth means mounted on saidblock and attached to the front end portion of the first plate forpivoting the first plate about a vertical axis to move the first platerear portion away from the second plate and ninth means connected to theeighth means for resiliently urging the eighth means to pivot the firstplate rear portion adjacent the second plate, and that the fourth meansincludes tenth means mounted on the first plate for driving the secondconveyor means and mounting said second conveyor means to extendgenerally longitudinally, eleventh means mounted on the second plate indriving relationship to the tenth means when the lirst plate rearportion is adjacent the second plate for mounting the third conveyormeans to extend generally longitudinally and driving the third conveyormeans and means for driving said eleventh means.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that an uprightmounting member is mounted on the frame to extend to a higher elevationthan the tape folding means and the tear tape guide means, means mountedon the mounting member for mounting a reel of continuous tear tape at ahigher elevation than said tear guide means, a horizontal shaftstationarily mounted on said mounting member at a higher elevation thansaid tape folding means, arbor means rotatably mounted on said shaft formounting a reel of continuous first tape, a first hub keyed to saidshaft axially opposite the arbor means from said mounting member, asecond hub pivotally and axially movable on the shaft intermediate themounting member and the arbor means, an elongated swing arm having afirst end, and a second end mounted by said second hub to extendoutwardly thereof generally perpendicular to a plane of the axis of saidshaft to rotate said second hub, a tape roller mounted on said swing armto have a run of first tape extend from said first tape reel, thenceover said tape roller, next downwardly to the tape folder means and thenrearwardly to the sewing machine, means mounted on said mounting memberand connected to said second hub for pivoting said second hub in onedirection and axially moving the second hub away from the arbor meanswhen the tape roller is moved downwardly, and move the second hub towardthe arbor means when it is pivoted in the opposite direction, and springmeans connected to the swing arm to resiliently urge it to move the taperoller upwardly and move the swing arm to pivot said second hub in theopposite direction so that the second hub axial moving means moves thesecond hub against the arbor means to force it into braking relationshipto the first hub.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the tear tape has a run extendingfrom the tear tape reel, then downwardly through the tear tape guidemeans and then rearwardly to the sewing machine, further characterizedin that there is provided a sewing machine motor mounted on the frame, adrive lmotor mounted on the frame, means for drivingly connecting thedrive motor to fourth means, control means for actuating the sewingmachine motor when the bag leading edge has moved adjacent said needle,and deactivating said sewing member motor when the bag trailing edge hasmoved rearwardly of said needle, first control means for automaticallyoperating said seventh means to feed the tab strip after the sewn bagclosure has moved at least partially rearwardly of said seventh meansand then terminate the operation of the seventh means, and secondcontrol means operatively connected to the first control means foroperating the sixth means to sever the tab strip after the first controlmeans has terminated the operation of the seventh means and the sewn bagclosure has moved rearwardly of the sixth means a selected distance.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 further characterized in that the tapefolder means is xedly attached to said second plate to overly the spacebetween said first and second plates and that compression rollers aremounted on the rearward portion of said tape folder means to have thefolded tape over the bag one end portion and the tear tape passtherebetween.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that one of saidcompression rollers is mounted on the tape folder means adjacent andrearwardly of the tear strip guide means, said one roller having anaxial annular groove through which the tear tape is extended.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further characterized in that the fifthmeans includes a transverse mounting block, twelfth means mounted on thelast mentioned mounting block and attached to the third plate rearportion for pivoting the third plate about a vertical axis to move thethird plate front portion away from the fourth plate, and thirteenthmeans connected to the twelfth means for resiliently retaining thetwelfth means in a datum position that the third and fourth platesadjacent edges are parallel to one another, said transfer guide meansbeing fixedly attached to one of said third and fourth plates to extendover the space between Said third and fourth plates.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that the firstmeans comprises a transverse mounting member attached to the secondplate, and means for pivotally mounting said second plate on thetransverse mounting member and resiliently urging the second plate to aldatum position that its front and rear portions are adjacent therespective corresponding portions of the first plate, and that thefourth means includes means for mounting the second and third means onthe first and second plate respectively with the inner runs abuttingwhen no bag is being passed therebetween and to permit relativespreading of the second and third conveyor means when the second plateis pivoted out of the plates datum position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,845,760 8/1958 Hopkins et al53-139 X THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner NEIL ABRAMS, AssistantExaminer U.S. Cl. X.R.

gg@ UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE CF CORRECTION Paten: No.3,460,313 Dated August 12, 1969 Invencor(a) Joseph R. Conner, Jack D.Helm and Harold N. Anderson It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that: said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 5 line 35 "izontanl" should be -izontal. Column 6, line 59, "orlshould be -of. Column 8, line l2 "783" should be l83; line 18,"sprocket" should be sprocket; line 24, "194 should be --l84; Column 9,line 27 "resilently" should be -resiliently. Column l2 line 17 "closed"should be closer; line 25 after "of" insert --spring 319 on arm 317. Ashub 307 is rotated in the direction of; line +7 "horizontally should be-horizontal. Column ll, line 45, "portions" should be "portion". Columnl7 line 9, "directed" should be "directing".

SIGNED AND SEALED APR 2 8 197g CSE-41') Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Ir.

Attesting Officer WILLIAM E. SCIHUYLER, JR. omissioner of Patent

